Advertisement
May 4, 2009
If asked to name the best football player in the Big 12 for the upcoming 2009 season, who would you choose?
The conference certainly has its options. Two of the three finalists for the Heisman Trophy last season came from the Big 12: Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, who won the award, and Texas’ Colt McCoy. Both will return next season.
Oklahoma State stud receiver Dez Bryant, who was second in the nation last year as a sophomore with 19 touchdown catches, has to be included in the conversation (his 87 catches for 1,480 yards didn’t hurt either).
Kansas University quarterback Todd Reesing returns for his senior season, where he’ll have a chance to post outrageous numbers with Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier also back. It could be argued Reesing has more returning weapons than any other signal caller in the conference.
Nick Krug/Journal-World File Photo
ESPN.com’s Tim Griffin just completed a month-and-a-half-long feature where he ranked the 40 best Big 12 players for next season.
Here’s his Top 5:
- 1. Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford
- 2. Texas QB Colt McCoy
- 3. Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant
- 4. Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham
- 5. Baylor QB Robert Griffin
I find it challenging to predict a best player for next season. I suppose it depends how you define best.
Statistically, Bradford passed for an absurd 50 touchdowns (4,720 yards) last year, compared to McCoy's 34 TD's (3,859 yards). The Sooners' QB also has the hardware in the form of a Big 12 Championship and a Heisman Trophy from last season.
McCoy's value skyrockets when you add in his rushing totals and his completion percentage. He had an additional 561 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground. Bradford added only 47 rushing yards and an additional five scores on the ground. McCoy led the nation in completing 76.67 percent of his passes. And as many Longhorn fans have argued, he won the head-to-head battle against Bradford last season (just the brief mention of 45-35 makes me feel like it's fall already).
Looking ahead to next fall, Bradford will have to get used to the protection of four new offensive linemen. He'll also be throwing to two new starting wide receivers. The return of tight end Gresham (66 cathes, 950 yards, 14 scores) will definitely help. OU also returns Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray to the backfield, which should keep defenses honest.
McCoy, on the other hand, will return four offensive linemen, along with his roommate Jordan Shipley, who caught 89 passes for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.
From a statistical standpoint, my edge goes to Bradford. Looking ahead to who's returning for 2009, the edge has to go to McCoy. He'll have more proven experience around him.
For local reference, the KU players that appeared on Griffin’s list were:
- 10. QB Todd Reesing
- 22. WR Dezmon Briscoe
- 24. S Darrell Stuckey
- 26. WR Kerry Meier
KU's four players on Griffin's list trailed only Oklahoma (10), Texas (six) and Oklahoma State (six).
What does your Top 5 look like? Post your list in the comments section below.
And as always, discuss.
Comments
rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...
1) McCoy -- Best all around player. Not really an argument.
2) Bryant -- On top of being the most dominant receiver, he's a dangerous returnman. But, yeah, he's also the best receiver in the nation.
3) Griffin -- Without him, Baylor goes winless last year. Lets be real.
4) Bradford
5) Kerry Meier -- No one more valuable to KU. No one.
I'd also rank Stuckey pretty high. He's easily KU's best all-around athlete.
May 4, 2009 at 2:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...
Ryan,
I'm not arguing Kerry Meier's value to our team but I believe you underestimate Reesing's. If KU win's the North no player will be more valuable, though many will have to step it up. Todd's ability to buy extra time is his greatest quality and in such instances it is Meier who usually breaks free, but it all starts with Todd.
May 4, 2009 at 6:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ku98 (anonymous) says...
I don't understand why Bryant is #3 and Briscoe #22. There should not be that big a gap when ranking these guys.
May 4, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yates33333 (anonymous) says...
My mind says Colt McCoy, my heart says Todd Reesing. They are both great players. However, I suspect McCoy and Bradford have a better supporting cast. Don't know since the season has begun.
May 4, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JayViking (anonymous) says...
Bradford > McCoy
May 4, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zissou (anonymous) says...
You almost have to group Meier and Reesing together. Without the other, neither would be nearly as productive.
I'm OK with the ESPN.com rankings except for Robert Griffin at Baylor. I'd like to see a little more success out of him before calling him the conference's fifth-best player.
Greene, I couldn't agree more about Stuckey. He doesn't get the chance to put up the numbers that the offensive players do, but from a leadership standpoint and how much he changes the game, I would argue that he's KU's best player.
May 4, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasoninks (anonymous) says...
We'll see how "Heisman worthy" Bradford is this year without his outstanding O-Line holding the pocket for an insane amount of time each play. If you watch last year's games closely, Bradford had oodles of time to let routes develop. Give any QB enough ticks and eventually a receiver will get open. Let's see how he does when the pocket collapses each play after 3-5 seconds.
My bet is that he won't achieve 75% of his stats from last year.
May 4, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kansas22 (anonymous) says...
I think Tim Griffin is pretty much spot on with his top 5. I was gonna rank mine but I couldn't really think of any players to jump the ones already up there.
May 4, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maxhawk (anonymous) says...
Anyone who puts Griffin above Reesing is an idiot. Look at what the two have accomplished. Someone said well Baylor would be horrible without Griffin. Well they're not to damn good with him. It's not most valuable player it's best player and Reesing is light years ahead of Griffin.
Also Briscoe is everybit as good as Dez Bryant.
And if you want the best all around football player in the Big 12 it's Kerry Meier hands down. Reciever, QB, Punter you name it
May 4, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rgreene (Ryan Greene) says...
The point, Maxhawk, isn't about what they've accomplished. It's about their value, and what they bring to a team. Do you remember that Baylor team that came to KU two years ago and couldn't throw the ball further than about 7 yards downfield? Griffin last year gave them a dimension I don't think they've ever had. If they had to go with Szymanski again, they'd have gone winless. Instead, they won, what, 5 games? Take Reesing out of the equation for KU, and you still have Kerry Meier, who proved in 2006 that he's an above-average starting quarterback. That's all I'm saying.
I do agree that Meier is KU's best player, though. No question.
May 4, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...
I disagree that the question is about a player's value to his team. The way I interpret the question is, who is the best player playing his position in the big 12.
In my opinion Briscoe's playmaking ability makes him a better receiver than Meier, therefore Briscoe ranks higher than Meier. But I agree that Meier is more valuable to the team than Briscoe, because Meier always makes the big catch. He gets the ball on 3rd and 4th down situations (and obviously he is very versatile).
I also agree that Reesing's stats are proof that he's a better quarterback than Griffin, but the list is not about who were the best players in 2008, it's about who will be the best players in 2009 and perhaps Griffin WILL be better than Reesing this year... that's one reason why they play the games.
May 4, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maxhawk (anonymous) says...
Best player means best player. M.V.P. means most valuable player.
The question said name the BEST football player not the most valuable.
And I'd agrgue that Reesing is even more valuable than Griffin. Do you think KU goes to two bowl games in three years and one BCS game without him?
May 4, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kingpin (anonymous) says...
If I started a football team with only big 12 players, I pick Colt McCoy first. His ability to run separates him from Bradford.
May 4, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
actorman (anonymous) says...
"I don't understand why Bryant is #3 and Briscoe #22. There should not be that big a gap when ranking these guys."
I agree. Could you imagine if Briscoe was on OU, UT or NU? He'd be in the top 10 for sure, and possibly the top 5.
May 4, 2009 at 7:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
How can anybody reasonably argue that someone has more value to their team than Reesing? Reesing is more valuable to his team than McCoy, Bradford or Griffin are to theirs.
Ryan. Meier was never an above average QB. He was average, but this team was going nowhere with Meier at QB. No fire. No bowl games.
With Reesing as the starter in 2007, KU became a totally different team. He is not only our best player, he is among the top player's in KU history. I can't imagine what we would see if Reesing took his receivers to Texas or Oklahoma and played behind those offensive lines, with those defenses providing extra opportunities for him. We may find out his actual value in 2010. Personally I'm a little afraid of a total relapse into 5-7, 6-6 seasons.
And as far as your Griffin argument, Ryan. It's a lot easier to go from no wins, to 5 wins, than it is to go from 6 wins to 11 wins, and a BCS bowl victory.
Best player in the Big 12? McCoy's physical gifts give him an edge over Reesing. And he's the only other player in the Big 12 that can match Reesing's heart, and leadership. Bradford and Reesing tie for second. Reesing's brain and natural fire, pull him even with Bradford's height and arm.
Don't see any difference between Briscoe and Bryant. How is Bryants' 87-1,480-19 so much better than Briscoe's 92-1,407-15? Especially when you consider how much respect OKstate's running game demanded.
May 4, 2009 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JGfromPK (anonymous) says...
You know what? Best player this and that... whatever... I wouldn't trade them. I would not ever say, "You know, I love Reesing and all, but if we could snag McCoy, we should go for it." Never. I love that guy. That's what I love about college sports, so much more than pro sports. Your guys are YOUR guys. No trades, no free agents, no "they used to play for Kansas". They're Jayhawks. Once and always. I love those guys.
That being said, I, like others, read the list as ESPN was looking at "best overall" rather than "value to the team".
May 4, 2009 at 10:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rivethead (anonymous) says...
Robert Griffin set a Big XII record for most completions without an interception last season. As a TRUE freshman. Behind a crappy line and with crappy receivers.
Robert Griffin is already slated to be on the next US Olympic track team. The guy already owns the Big XII in track. As a true freshman.
Robert Griffin is an absolute athletic freak.
And that's why he's one of the five best players in the Big XII.
I had no problems with ESPN's overall list except for two: the gap between Bryant and Briscoe (as mentioned above). Bryant should still be higher than Briscoe just based on his kick return skills. And there is no way Jordan Shipley should be higher than Kerry Meier.
May 5, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stupidmichael (anonymous) says...
The best football player in the Big XII is definitely Joe.
May 5, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stupidmichael (anonymous) says...
Joe Mamma.
May 5, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mbmerriman (anonymous) says...
talent wise: Dez Bryant (by far)
intangibles: Bradford
most valuable: reesing (he may not be the reason but before todd: 1 recent bowl win, and with todd: two years two wins)
underrated: Brandon Banks, Griffin, Jarrod Johnson, the quick RB from Colo
Heisman Winner: McCoy
May 5, 2009 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buckets (anonymous) says...
Alright some of ya'll either don't know anything about Football or are just extremely biased.. You cannot say you've seen both Dezmon Briscoe and Dez Bryant play and say Briscoe is on Bryants level.. speed and athletically Bryant is a whole another player.
And Kerry Meier i thought was in a good spot too. maybe even a little generous. fits our team really well and incredible hands... but hes not really anything without the system or Reesing.
I am a die hard KU fan... but theres a reason Briscoe wasn't a finalist for WR of the year last year and Bryant was. If Briscoe was on a bigger better team he just would be less of a go to guy than now, his numbers would go down. hes a great player but theres nothing wrong with him at #22
May 8, 2009 at 12:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkfan96 (anonymous) says...
I'm ok with the list except for Bryant. While there is no denying Bryant is a superior athlete, he is too inconsistent as receiver. I realise he will never put up numbers comparable to Briscoe based on OSU's offense. But he also refuses to go over the middle. He sulks and quits on plays if he feels he's not getting enough balls thrown his way. And he has some unexplainable drops. I would move Reesing in to the top 5 and take Bryant out.
Way to go on picking Griffin. He may be the most underrated player in the country because nobody gets to see him play. Although I'll be interested to see how he responds now that people are starting to hear about him, and with no Jason Smith protecting his blind side.
May 10, 2009 at 1:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
Interesting points on being critical of Bryant, but I'm not sure I follow his numbers being nowhere near Briscoe's. Last year:
Briscoe: 92-1,407-15.
Bryant: 87-1,480-19.
Bryant was also more active than Briscoe in the return game. Picking Briscoe over Bryant doesn't sound too crazy to me. But saying Bryant will never put up numbers like Briscoe just because of OSU's balanced offense is unrealistic.
May 10, 2009 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buckets (anonymous) says...
If you're going by who is a better player....
its Bryant. Bryant will most likely be a top 10 pick in next years draft if hes healthy. Briscoe won't. No matter how good his numbers are.
GO KU
May 10, 2009 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkfan96 (anonymous) says...
Actually I was referring to this year, I don't think Bryant will put up numbers like that. With Pettigrew gone he will get even more attention from defenses and I expect OSU to rely even more on its running game. Which means I expect Bryant to sulk even more. And I didn't move Briscoe ahead of Bryant. I moved Reesing. I don't trust where Desmonds head is at.
Besides I thought we were comparing college players. Not who fits best in the NFL. Do the names Charlie Ward, Gino Torreta, and Eric Crouch mean anything to anybody. All were Heisman winners. And where were their NFL careers.
May 10, 2009 at 11:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
It's a fair assessment of the OSU offense. Personally, I think Bryant will have a monster year and be a good NFL player. But you raise some interesting points. After all, look at Rashaun Woods. He was a beast in college and didn't exactly pan out at the next level.
May 11, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buckets (anonymous) says...
Bryant is not as valuable to OSU as Reesing is to KU. But Bryant is a better football player.
I like his top 5
May 12, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )